Lincoln Aviator: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
499 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Lincoln Aviator, model years 2003 to 2026. One model year stands out for the engine or transmission: 2003 (transmission 5.5×). Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 AviatorFEW REPORTS | 111 | transmission 5.5× | 1 | |
| 2004 AviatorFEW REPORTS | 81 | — | 0 | |
| 2005 AviatorFEW REPORTS | 51 | — | 0 | |
| 2020 AviatorFEW REPORTS | 111 | — | 30 | |
| 2021 AviatorFEW REPORTS | 42 | — | 28 | |
| 2022 AviatorFEW REPORTS | 49 | — | 21 | |
| 2023 AviatorFEW REPORTS | 24 | — | 16 | |
| 2024 AviatorFEW REPORTS | 7 | — | 8 | |
| 2025 AviatorFEW REPORTS | 18 | — | 15 | |
| 2026 AviatorFEW REPORTS | 5 | — | 6 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
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Other Lincoln models
Lincoln Continental · Lincoln Corsair · Lincoln LS · Lincoln MKC · Lincoln MKS · Lincoln MKT · Lincoln MKX · Lincoln MKZ · Lincoln MKZ Hybrid · Lincoln Nautilus · Lincoln Navigator · Lincoln Town Car · Lincoln Zephyr. All makes and models.
Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: